Advanced help with Metra/Pioneer Install - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

firesquirt · 08-04-2010, 04:02 PM

I have been trying to install a Pioneer AVIC-x920BT and integrate it with a Metra Kit to replace the factory AC controls, door locks etc...
I have everything wired correctly (verified by Crutchfield Tech Support) and all I can get is sound out the rear speakers with no sound from the front speakers or tweeters.
We verified that the head was good by sending front and rear signals from the head to the rear speakers.
Here's the weird part, if I push the Onstar call button I can hear them thru the front speakers! Crutchfield and Metra said they dont know why its not working. I drive a 1LT with no Boton Acoustics system. If I turn the volume wide open and the gain wide open on the Metra interface module I can hear the music in the fron speakers.

Any audio guru want to take a stab at it. Metra hasn't a clue nor does Crutchfield..

CamaroGeek · 08-05-2010, 07:34 AM

The Metra module needs to be driven high level in non-amp'ed cars, and low level in amp'ed cars. You have no BA system, no amp, so it must be driven high level. Tie the speaker outputs from your radio to the front high level inputs on the Metra kit and you will have front audio.

The gain pots will control your chime level. In non-amp'ed cars, start by turning the chime pot (farther away from the corner) fully CCW. Then leave the key in and open the door to make it chime. Then adjust the gain pot (closer to the corner) until you like the chime level.

Any other problems? Let me know.

Indpowr · 08-05-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroGeek

The Metra module needs to be driven high level in non-amp'ed cars, and low level in amp'ed cars. You have no BA system, no amp, so it must be driven high level. Tie the speaker outputs from your radio to the front high level inputs on the Metra kit and you will have front audio.

The gain pots will control your chime level. In non-amp'ed cars, start by turning the chime pot (farther away from the corner) fully CCW. Then leave the key in and open the door to make it chime. Then adjust the gain pot (closer to the corner) until you like the chime level.

Any other problems? Let me know.

This man knows his stuff...

By the way shot me an email on what you and I have been speaking of.

firesquirt · 08-05-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroGeek

The Metra module needs to be driven high level in non-amp'ed cars, and low level in amp'ed cars. You have no BA system, no amp, so it must be driven high level. Tie the speaker outputs from your radio to the front high level inputs on the Metra kit and you will have front audio.

The gain pots will control your chime level. In non-amp'ed cars, start by turning the chime pot (farther away from the corner) fully CCW. Then leave the key in and open the door to make it chime. Then adjust the gain pot (closer to the corner) until you like the chime level.

Any other problems? Let me know.

Hate to ask, but where the heck are the high level imputs on the Metra. The only thing they have are RCA low level outputs. Im not following you...

CamaroGeek · 08-06-2010, 01:28 PM

The Metra kit has four wires for speaker-level input.
LF+ White
LF- White w/ Black stripe
RF+ Gray
RF- Gray w/ Black stripe

Connect these to the speaker level outputs from your radio - they will be the same color.

mrahim · 08-09-2010, 10:52 PM

Hi there,

I was hoping you can help me... I have a 2SS/RS with boston acoustics and I had a Pioneer Avic Z120-BT system + Metra kit professionally installed. After adjusting the gain the front speakers sound loud & great.. The issue is the rear speakers sound very very low, like 20% the loudness of the front speakers :(

Any ideas how to fix this?

firesquirt · 08-10-2010, 09:22 PM

give metra a call, they walked me right thru the fix and it works great. I'm
Sure they can help u out

russell1 · 08-10-2010, 11:23 PM

I have a 2011 camaro in my shop right now with the same problem and metra is closed of course. This is a non-ampd system and the back sounds great, but i can only hear a faint whisper thru front speakers when connected at speaker level. The crazy thing is if i connect it thru rca they work but only at about 40% with the headunit at max volume with the gain on the interface at full tilt. Does anybody have any suggestions??? Thanks I'm using the new JVC kw-nt3hdt nav unit if it makes any difference.

russell1 · 08-10-2010, 11:25 PM

I'm gonna try t-tap the front speakers between the interface and the 44 pin connector which I think should work. Does anyone see a potential problem i'm not thinking of?

Droid6 · 08-11-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russell1

I'm gonna try t-tap the front speakers between the interface and the 44 pin connector which I think should work. Does anyone see a potential problem i'm not thinking of?

There is a 4-pin connector on the metra wiring harness if I remember right that has to be connected if you are using a non-amplified system.

BlessedChef10 · 12-02-2010, 06:00 PM

Just purchaced the deck. What else aside from the metra kit do I need to purchace? I have a 2lt rs 2010

BlessedChef10 · 12-13-2010, 09:32 AM

Mine got installed saturday! I love it

Scotimus · 12-13-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedChef10

Mine got installed saturday! I love it

Does the USB in the center console still work? And does this system use the mic from the built-in bluetooth or did they install a separate mic? I ask because I had a 2009 malibu and had the pioneer avic-x910bt system and they said they couldnt use the bluetooth mic that was built into the car and had to install an external one. I never did like that. Thanks for any info.

xxlbeerz · 12-13-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroGeek

The Metra kit has four wires for speaker-level input.
LF+ White
LF- White w/ Black stripe
RF+ Gray
RF- Gray w/ Black stripe

Connect these to the speaker level outputs from your radio - they will be the same color.

Hmm... I have the BA system and hooked these up. Same issue as the OP, no front sound.

08-04-2010, 04:02 PM	#1
firesquirt Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 19	Advanced help with Metra/Pioneer Install I have been trying to install a Pioneer AVIC-x920BT and integrate it with a Metra Kit to replace the factory AC controls, door locks etc... I have everything wired correctly (verified by Crutchfield Tech Support) and all I can get is sound out the rear speakers with no sound from the front speakers or tweeters. We verified that the head was good by sending front and rear signals from the head to the rear speakers. Here's the weird part, if I push the Onstar call button I can hear them thru the front speakers! Crutchfield and Metra said they dont know why its not working. I drive a 1LT with no Boton Acoustics system. If I turn the volume wide open and the gain wide open on the Metra interface module I can hear the music in the fron speakers. Any audio guru want to take a stab at it. Metra hasn't a clue nor does Crutchfield..

08-10-2010, 11:23 PM	#8
russell1 Drives: 2011 camaro Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: united states Posts: 2	i've got the same problem I have a 2011 camaro in my shop right now with the same problem and metra is closed of course. This is a non-ampd system and the back sounds great, but i can only hear a faint whisper thru front speakers when connected at speaker level. The crazy thing is if i connect it thru rca they work but only at about 40% with the headunit at max volume with the gain on the interface at full tilt. Does anybody have any suggestions??? Thanks I'm using the new JVC kw-nt3hdt nav unit if it makes any difference.

12-02-2010, 06:00 PM	#11
BlessedChef10 BLESSEDCHEF10 Drives: 2010 2lt camaro rs Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: west hills,ca Posts: 696 View My Garage	Just purchaced the deck. What else aside from the metra kit do I need to purchace? I have a 2lt rs 2010 __________________

12-13-2010, 09:32 AM	#12
BlessedChef10 BLESSEDCHEF10 Drives: 2010 2lt camaro rs Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: west hills,ca Posts: 696 View My Garage	Mine got installed saturday! I love it __________________

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08-05-2010, 07:34 AM	#2
CamaroGeek Drives: 2010 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 84	The Metra module needs to be driven high level in non-amp'ed cars, and low level in amp'ed cars. You have no BA system, no amp, so it must be driven high level. Tie the speaker outputs from your radio to the front high level inputs on the Metra kit and you will have front audio. The gain pots will control your chime level. In non-amp'ed cars, start by turning the chime pot (farther away from the corner) fully CCW. Then leave the key in and open the door to make it chime. Then adjust the gain pot (closer to the corner) until you like the chime level. Any other problems? Let me know.

08-06-2010, 01:28 PM	#5
CamaroGeek Drives: 2010 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 84	The Metra kit has four wires for speaker-level input. LF+ White LF- White w/ Black stripe RF+ Gray RF- Gray w/ Black stripe Connect these to the speaker level outputs from your radio - they will be the same color.

08-09-2010, 10:52 PM	#6
mrahim Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Miami Beach Posts: 2	Hi there, I was hoping you can help me... I have a 2SS/RS with boston acoustics and I had a Pioneer Avic Z120-BT system + Metra kit professionally installed. After adjusting the gain the front speakers sound loud & great.. The issue is the rear speakers sound very very low, like 20% the loudness of the front speakers :( Any ideas how to fix this?

08-10-2010, 09:22 PM	#7
firesquirt Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern North Carolina Posts: 19	give metra a call, they walked me right thru the fix and it works great. I'm Sure they can help u out

08-10-2010, 11:25 PM	#9
russell1 Drives: 2011 camaro Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: united states Posts: 2	I'm gonna try t-tap the front speakers between the interface and the 44 pin connector which I think should work. Does anyone see a potential problem i'm not thinking of?